Turkey expands regional influence in Mediterranean and Syria

Turkey is increasingly expanding its geopolitical influence through strategic maneuvers in both the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria. In the Mediterranean, Greek MP and international law professor Angelos Syrigos notes a return to pre-2023 provocative behaviors, including airspace violations and the declaration of maritime parks that overlap with the Greek continental shelf and international waters. Syrigos highlights the proposed Turkish 'Blue Homeland' law and disputes regarding the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection as primary areas of contention.

Simultaneously, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warns of Turkey building a permanent military and political presence in Syria. Gallant argues that Ankara is methodically filling the power vacuum left by a weakening Iran by utilizing humanitarian organizations, religious networks, and military training to reorganize Syrian armed forces. This strategy aims to create a bridgehead where Syrian forces become increasingly accountable to Turkish interests through the use of Turkish systems and instructors.